by Amber Crewes
Meghan could hardly believe Karen’s story, and she took a long breath as Karen choked back tears. “Then what happened?” she asked.
“Sofía was a wild little girl, and then a wild teenager. Her father sent her to live with me in LA for a bit, but that didn’t go well, and by the time she was eighteen, she was living on her own. She took off with my money and some of my jewelry, and now, twenty five years later, she’s back on my doorstep.”
Meghan’s jaw dropped. “You haven’t seen her for twenty five years?”
Karen shook her head. “Not since the day she cursed my name and marched out my door. That was the last I saw and heard of her. Her father’s kept me in the loop of her whereabouts; I believe he still pays for her credit cards, and he can see where she’s been spending money. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard from him yet; you’d think that Rafael would have let me know that she’s in the Pacific Northwest.”
Meghan shrugged. “That’s a lot, Karen. Are you alright? Oh my goodness, how hard this must be for you.”
Karen looked down at her feet. “I always thought it was my fault,” she said, her voice heavy. “If my visa hadn’t expired, I wouldn’t have had to leave her, and maybe she wouldn’t be so wild. Or, if it had gone better when she lived with me, maybe she wouldn’t be running away from something now as a grown woman.”
Meghan shook her head. “Hey,” she said softly. “You are a fabulous person, Karen Denton. You treated me like a daughter from the moment we met, and I am so grateful for that big heart of yours. I’m sorry it’s been hard with your daughter, but maybe things will be different now. Maybe she’s here on your birthday to celebrate you, and to make peace.”
Karen’s eyes were glued to her purple sneakers, and she sniffled. “I think peace is the last thing she’s going to make, Meghan,” she whispered. “Sofía doesn’t make peace. Sofía makes trouble.”
3
“I’m so glad we could get together.” Meghan gushed as Sofía smiled at her from across the table at Winston’s.
It was the day after Karen’s birthday party, and Meghan had invited Sofía to Winston’s, hoping to forge a connection with the daughter Karen had never told her about. Karen had been upset when Meghan first told her the idea, but after they talked at-length, Karen was optimistic about the notion of her second-daughter and real daughter getting together.
“Maybe if she knows you, someone so fabulous and a good influence, she will behave.” Karen had squealed on the phone as they discussed the meeting. “You are a sweetheart, Meghan, and I’m thankful you are trying to help.”
Sofía had agreed to the meeting. She arrived twenty minutes late wearing a tight-fitting, low-cut red dress; Meghan felt churlish and frumpy in her striped t-shirt and olive pants, but Sofía was nice enough, and Meghan genuinely enjoyed their conversation.
“I know our first meeting was a little awkward, so I’m glad we could have some time to chat one-on-one.”
“As am I,” Sofía murmured, as she sipped her martini, her long, blood-red fingernails contrasting sharply against the translucent glass. “It was overwhelming to see my mother for the first time in so long, so forgive me if I wasn’t quite my best.”
Meghan reached her hand across the table, placing her palm over the top of Sofia’s caramel-colored hand.
“Sofía,” she said softly, her dark eyes wide as she addressed Karen’s daughter. “I hope you know that you are welcome in Sandy Bay. I’ve known Karen, your mother, for several years now, and she is the kindest person I’ve ever met. I know it was….strange to see her again, but I promise you, she is happy to have you here.”
Sofía closed her dark eyes and sighed. “I just don’t know,” she said, sliding her hand out from beneath Meghan’s. “You’ve been such a doll, Meghan, but I saw my mother’s face when I walked in that door. I just wanted to see her on her birthday, and she looked as if she had seen a ghost.”
Meghan’s heart lurched as she saw the pain invade Sofía beautiful, angular face.
“Sofía,” she said. “Just trust me. I know we hardly know each other, but I know what it’s like to be new in town and to feel out of place. Sandy Bay is a nice town, and your mother is a good person. Just give things some time. I’m happy to meet you. Any friend…or special person…to Karen is someone special to me too.”
Sofía tucked a lock of her thick, glossy dark hair behind her ear and leaned back into her chair. Meghan noticed a pair of milky-white pearl studs in Sofia’s ears, and she grinned, tucked back her own hair to reveal her pearl earrings.
“Look!” she said, fingering her earlobe. “We match!”
The corners of Sofia’s lips turned upward into a smile. “Yes, we do,” she replied, touching her own earrings with the tips of her long, red fingernails. “Pearls make a woman fabulosa.”
The two women smiled at each other, and Meghan copied Sofía’s relaxed pose, settling into her chair. “So, tell me more about yourself.” Meghan chirped. “Karen only told me a bit about you, and I want to hear more.”
Sofía raised a dark eyebrow and laughed at Meghan. “You want to hear more?”
Meghan nodded, hoping to make a good connection with Karen’s daughter. “Of course!”
Sofía took a long breath and swirled her glass, the large ice cubes making little clinking sounds as they crashed into each other. “There really isn’t much to know, Meghan,” Sofía said slowly. “I’m sure my mother told you that I was a wild one when I was younger. I’m older now, and I want to settle down. I’ve been a wanderer for years, and I’m getting tired. I want to have a….a quiet life, you know?”
Meghan bobbed her head enthusiastically. “I totally get that.” she said, her eyes bright.
“When I lived in LA, everything was just crazy. Sandy Bay is the perfect place to have some peace and quiet.”
Sofía looked down into her drink, and Meghan could see her grip tightening on the glass.
“Yes,” she said softly. “Life has just been….crazy. I’m ready for a new start here. I just hope Brody stays away...”
Meghan’s eyes widened. “Brody?”
Sofía shook her head. “Oh, he’s no one.”
Meghan leaned in. “Oh, come on!” she coaxed. “I’ve told you all about my life before Sandy Bay. Was Brody someone special?”
Sofía shrugged. “He was a great love of mine, but he’s crazy, Meghan. I was in business with him and a friend of his before I got here--they called us the three amigos--but everything just got so….messed up. Brody turned into a terrible man. He was wicked and horrible, Meghan. I was scared of him. That’s why I left in the first place, to be honest...”
Meghan frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said sympathetically. “Business is a tricky thing. I own my business all by myself and I’ve had all sorts of trouble. I can’t imagine doing it with two other people.”
Sofía closed her eyes and moaned quietly. “It was just so hard,” she whispered, still gazing into her now-empty glass. “Everything went all wrong. I just want a fresh start here in Sandy Bay. I want a fresh start with my mother, and a fresh start for myself, away from Brody, away from the business, and away from who I used to be.”
Meghan reached across the table and lightly touched Sofía’s arm. “Sandy Bay is the perfect place to start over. Everyone is so nice, and I know things with you and Karen will work out. I’m happy you’re here, Sofía. Seriously, I’m so glad we got together, and I hope you know that you can consider me your very first friend in Sandy Bay.”
Sofía’s dark eyes sparkled, and she released her grip on the empty martini glass. “Gracias, amiga,” she said, staring into Meghan’s eyes. “I think it’s all gonna be good.”
After Meghan and Sofía had hugged goodbye, Meghan turned to walk back to her little apartment. She lived in a small unit right above her bakery, and it was only a short walk home. As she walked through the darkened streets of Sandy Bay, her heart soared; she had easily befriended Karen’s estranged daughter, an
d Meghan felt as though she could mend the rift between mother and daughter. As she passed the shops and houses between Winston’s and Truly Sweet, Meghan felt as though all was truly well in her life.
“Everything is settling into place.” Meghan thought as she turned the corner. Suddenly, just behind her, she heard the thud of footsteps. She quickened her pace, clutching her purse tightly and moving her legs as fast as they would go. Meghan glanced behind her and caught sight of a dark figure only a few steps behind her.
“Oh no,” Meghan said under her breath as she moved toward Truly Sweet. “Not again.”
Meghan remembered the chaos of her first few days in Sandy Bay. She had been stalked by a dark figure, who turned out to be a murderer as she went for a run in the park, and now, she could feel the icy, gripping tug of fear consuming her body as another dark figure walked behind her in the darkness of the evening.
“Keep it together, Truman,” she said to herself as she broke into a sprint. She dashed toward the familiar yellow door of her bakery and jammed the key inside the lock. As she stood on the doorstep of her bakery, she looked behind her, but the dark figure had disappeared. When Meghan was safely inside, she peeked out the window. No one was outside.
“Silly me,” Meghan muttered as she placed her hand on her thudding heart. “It was probably someone just out for a night-time walk. I am so paranoid. Silly, silly me. I’ve had too much happen in Sandy Bay already for anything else to go wrong.”
Meghan sat at one of the little white tables in the dining area of the bakery, hoping to collect herself before venturing upstairs for bed. As she relaxed in her chair, she heard footsteps in the kitchen of the bakery. She gasped as a slim, brown-haired man sauntered out of the kitchen, a cupcake in his hands.
“Hey,” he said, taking a bite out of the cupcake and grinning maniacally at Meghan. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Brody. I’m Sofía’s boyfriend.”
4
Meghan’s jaw dropped. “How did you get in here?” Meghan asked, rising to her feet and clenching her fists.
“Your assistant let me in,” Brody said, wiping a smear of chocolate icing off of his chin. “I stopped in for directions. I’ve never been here before. I’m trying to find Sofía, and that little short-haired girl who works in here told me that you were out with her.”
Meghan shook her head. “Lori must have been confused,” she said, thinking of her beloved assistant. “I was out at the grocery store. I don’t even know a Sofía.”
Brody narrowed his eyes and took a step toward Meghan. Her heart lurched. She remembered Sofía’s worried face as she had told her about Brody, her dangerous ex-boyfriend, and Meghan’s eyes widened as Brody walked closer to her.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” he asked, staring into Meghan’s dark eyes. He was right in front of her now; their noses were practically touching, and Meghan could feel the heat of his breath on her face.
“No,” she said, plastering a smile on her face. “I don’t even know what you are talking about. I’m new in town, you see. Maybe Lori mentioned that?”
Brody took a step back and nodded. “She did say that her boss was new to the area. Okay, fine. I’ll see myself out. But if you lied to me….well, let’s just say I won’t be happy. I have to find Sofía.”
Brody marched out of the bakery, and Meghan ran for the phone. She dialed Karen’s number.
“Karen!” she exclaimed breathlessly. “I need you to get over here. Are you with Sofía by any chance?”
“Sweetie? What’s going on? And yes, she just walked in. She said she had a wonderful time getting to know you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you taking time to get to know her.”
“Karen, listen to me. I need you to bring Sofía to Truly Sweet immediately. Sofía is in danger.”
Ten minutes later, Meghan heard as Karen’s orange jeep pulled up outside of the bakery. She let Karen and Sofía inside of the bakery and gestured toward the little white tables. “Sit down,” she said, her face somber.
“What’s going on, Meghan?” Karen asked. “Sofía and I were visiting at home. What did you mean that she is in danger?”
Meghan’s eyes widened as she thought about her encounter with Brody. She shuddered as she remembered his sour breath in her face and the evil look in his eyes. “Brody is in town,” she said quietly.
Sofía buried her head in her hands. “No! This cannot be. I didn’t leave a trace when I left him. How did he find me?”
Meghan shook her head. “He was here, Sofía. He was randomly in the bakery, and Lori, my assistant, must have mentioned that we were together. He waited here when Lori left and confronted me.”
Karen looked confused. “Sofía? Who is Brody? What is going on?”
Sofía’s eyes began to water. “He was mi amor,” she said sadly, her shoulders beginning to quiver. “We were in business together with one of his friends. Some things went wrong, and Brody became dangerous, and I left him. I disappeared without a trace and came here to find you.”
Karen gasped. “Oh, sweetheart,” she said, pulling her daughter close to her. “That is terrible. You should have come here sooner. I know we’ve had our differences, but I would have always helped you.”
Sofía sniffled. “I thought I could handle it. It just got too scary; Brody is a bad man. I can’t believe he found me.”
Meghan bit her bottom lip. “I told him that Lori was mistaken and that I didn’t know you, but I think he could tell I was lying. He was terrifying, Sofía. I think you should get out of Sandy Bay. You aren’t safe here.”
Sofía began to cry. “This is awful,” she said, her thick black eyeliner streaming down her golden skin as she wept. “What am I going to do?”
“Here is what you are going to do,” Karen said matter-of-factly. “We are going to go home and pack up. We will take a trip together; it’s been so long since we’ve spent time together, and we can go somewhere while Brody is in town. Once he realizes you are not here, he’ll leave! End of story.”
Sofía nodded her head. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Karen grabbed her daughter’s hand. “I’ll keep you safe,” she said gently. “And Meghan…that Jack Irvin is a good kid. He’s a police officer, for goodness sake, and I think he has a crush on you. Jack can keep an eye on you until Brody is gone, and sooner than later, things will all be back to normal.”
Karen and Sofía left the bakery, planning to leave town the next day. Meghan slept fitfully, but the next morning, Lori’s smiling face cheered her up.
“It’s a truly sweet day!” Lori squealed as she walked through the door, her green eyes sparkling.
“Meghan, I hope it’s okay that I let that man wait here for you after I closed up last night. He said you had urgent business.”
Meghan weighed her words, knowing that her young, sensitive assistant would have a strong reaction to harsh feedback.
“Lori,” Meghan said gently. “Next time, let’s not have anyone wait for me or tell anyone who I am with. Just give them my cell phone number and let them reach out to me, okay?”
Lori’s eyes grew large. “Did I do something wrong? I’m so sorry. Oh, Meghan! I messed up. I’m sorry. I’m the worst.”
Meghan laughed and pulled Lori in for a hug. “You’re fine, Lori. It’s fine. Just give out my number, next time.”
Lori and Meghan got to work. They had a hectic week ahead; the Weeks Group corporate order was keeping the bakery busy, and Meghan had even been considering hiring additional help. Business was booming, and Truly Sweet was one of the most popular shops in town.
As Lori tended to customers in the front, Meghan worked on baking pies in the back of the bakery. She bent down to place a pie on the bottom cooling rack in the kitchen, and she heard the tinkling of the little silver bells attached to the front door. Instead of hearing the pleasant chatter of customers, she heard Lori scream. Meghan dropped the pie and ran into the dining area. Brody was standing in front of the counter, his face re
d and his brow twitching.
“You! I knew you were lying to me.” he roared at Meghan as her jaw dropped. “You knew where Sofía was the whole time. I told you it would be trouble for you if you lied, and well, here is trouble.”
Lori cowered behind Meghan, and Meghan struggled to maintain her composure as Brody slowly stepped toward her.
“Get away from me,” Meghan hissed as he walked closer. “Stay away! I know that you’re bad news, Brody, and I will call the police.”
